A finale with an international flair at Pau

A mixed flat and jumps meeting of twelve races scheduled for Sunday February 2 in Pau is the penultimate of this winter meeting. Friday, the €60,000 Prix Camille Duboscq (L), Prix Mercure Pau Palais des Sports and Grande course de haies des 4ans, was won by Caroubier (Kap Rock) for trainer David Cottin. It was his first win after four failed attempts. He succeeds Naturelle, who then failed at Cheltenham, but also El Gringo, winner in 2018 and second in the last Grand Prix (Gr3) on this very course.

On Sunday, the 4-year-olds chasers run their "Grand Steeple", the €65,000 Prix Antoine de Palaminy (L), Prix STH Hippavia, in which eight runners were confirmed on Friday. Gamin d'Oudairies (Kapgarde) won twice at Pau this season, including one last time in front of his rival on Sunday, Gai Luron (Samum). Harmix (Gemix) also won last time outr, but in a lesser race. It is still early to rate these young pretenders. Winner in 2019, the excellent Thrilling had already won two chases at Pau before this third victory of the meeting. She is now one of the best chasers of her generation.

They are also eight on Sunday in the €75,000 133rd Grande Course de Haies de Pau (L), the Prix Max de Ginestet, including the title holder Forthing (Barastraight), disappointing lately in the Grand Prix (Gr3). The best rival to the Magalen Bryant-owned contender in ratings ​​is the 6-year-old Highway to Hell (No Risk At All), who represents the Scottish stable of Lynne McLennan and has just finished third in the Prix Léopold d'Orsetti Chase (Gr3) at Compiègne, a race he had won a year earlier.

But the race most dans will wait with the the greatest expectations will certainly be the €75,000 Grand Cross de Pau Reverdy (L), Prix Gaston de Bataille. It is run over 6,300 meters and brings together two French jumpers who made the news this winter at Cheltenham. They are Diésel d'Allier (Kap Rock), who won there over the cross-country course on November 17 and took a second place at Pau since then, and Easysland (Gentlewave), who won the final of the Crystal Cup at Prestbury Park before being bought by Irish owner JP McManus for an other visit to the Cotswolds' grand venue the Cheltenham festival cross-country, in 40 days.

Those fancied against them are Blason d'Or (Nidor), who has just won the prep race, but also Branle Bas (Saint des Saints), who has just beaten "Diesel". In an eventful race such as this one, the veteran Disco d'Authie (Discover d'Auteuil), who won the race in 2017 and has since placed himself for Mrs Bryant, will definitely have his say.